A Massachusetts State Rep. has announced that a former prison is set to become an emergency homeless shelter.

In a letter to Norfolk Residents, Marcus Vaughn announced that Norfolk has been chosen as the next site for an overflow shelter, a decision he said he received with deep disappointment Friday afternoon.

Vaughn stated that he firmly believes in transparency and shared the following information. 

“In response to mounting concerns regarding migrant families at Logan Airport, Governor Healey has decided to designate Bay State Correctional Center as the next overflow shelter location. Although efforts will be made to transform the facility into a welcoming space, the prospect of accommodating around 450 individuals comprising 150 families is a stark reality we must confront. The anticipated move is set for mid-June. When I asked for a timeframe for the site to remain online, I was told that because the state owns the facility there are no timelines on taking the facility offline.”

Bay State Correctional Center was a medium security prison that closed in 2015 to save money.

Vaughn expressed concern over the strain that will occur on school systems in Norfolk and stated it will likely impact public safety infrastructure.

“While assurances were given regarding on-site security, I intend to meet with Chief Heinz to explore avenues to mitigate the burden on our town’s public safety departments. “

Vaughn mentioned in the letter that he conveyed the concerns about reimbursement to the Govenor’s office, who assured him of ongoing dialogue with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

“Norfolk, as a small community, faces an unprecedented challenge with this decision. I share in your disappointment. However, I received assurances that our office, alongside town and school officials, will be regularly updated. Rest assured, we are committed to providing timely updates as we navigate this situation together.”

According to Boston 25 News, “the site will be set up with play areas for children, as well as classroom spaces for adults to engage in activities that support pathways to stability such as ESOL classes, job training courses, and housing search workshops.”

BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking organization involved in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas and North and South Carolina.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 35-year-old Erik Ventura pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Aug. 1, 2024. Ventura was arrested and charged in February 2022 and has remained in custody since.

In September 2019, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization based in Providence, Rhode Island and known to manufacture large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. The investigation revealed that Ventura was a trusted member of the DTO and maintained one of the drug stash locations. Ventura transported cash and kilogram quantities of drugs to and from New York on behalf of the DTO, distributed thousands of fentanyl pills to wholesale customers in Massachusetts and was paid by the DTO for his work as a drug distributor. In February 2022, two industrial grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills, were seized.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Special assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Providence Field Office; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence Field Office; Rhode Island State Police; and the Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsey E. Weinstein and Kunal Pasricha of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

Massachusetts shoppers and diners aren’t strangers to businesses closing locations throughout the state. It seems like regularly another company is shutting down another store or restaurant location. Enter Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops, Friendly’s, etc.

For whatever reason, whether it’s price sensitivity, online shopping, at-home cooking,  struggling to pay bills, fallout from the pandemic, etc.  Massachusetts among the rest of the country is in an era where companies are closing up shop either by trimming the fat or completely going under.

A Popular Restaurant Chain Plans to Close 25-35 Locations This Year 

It was recently announced by several online sources and by Dine Brands Global which owns restaurant chains IHOP and Applebee’s that the company will be closing 25-35 Applebee’s locations across the country this year. Since 2017 over 100 hundred Applebees locations have shut down. While the company is eliminating Applebee’s in struggling areas, it recently opened over 40 new IHOP locations. So it doesn’t appear that Dine Brands Global is going under they’re just cutting locations where performance isn’t up to par.

Will Some Massachusetts Locations Be on the Chopping Block? 

At this point, the folks at Dial Brands Global haven’t announced exactly which locations of Applebees will be shutting down this year. Applebees operates over 20 locations in Massachusetts including some of the Bay State’s bigger areas like Worcester, Springfield, and Chicopee.

Massachusetts Diners Should Enjoy Themselves and Not Worry at This Point

When Applebees does release its list of upcoming closures we will let you know if any Massachusetts locations are on the list. Until then, go eat good in the hood for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Mom and Dad deserve a great meal.